A fond farewell was bid to the organist at St Mary Magdalene Church, Launceston, this weekend as he sets off for a new challenge. 

After the Mayor’s Civic Service earlier in the afternoon on Sunday, February 4, the choir sang a service of choral evensong taken jointly by Rev Mary Williamson and James Wonnacott which marked  the final service of organist and choirmaster Robin Stubbs who is moving to a parish closer to his home in Plymouth after 12 years. 

Robin had enlisted the services of Dr Sean Sweeney, formerly organist and choirmaster at Tavistock parish church, to play the organ so that he could conduct the music he had chosen.

A modern piece, “Do not be afraid” by Stopford was sung as an introit with Amber Newton as soprano soloist and the anthem was the well known anthem by Hubert Parry, “My soul! There is a country”.

The canticles were sung to a setting by Peter Aston and the Responses were by Sanders.

At the end of the service Bernard Pink presented Robin with gifts from the choir and congregation of St Mary Magdalene.